Southeast Archeological Center

SEAC: The Search for Battery Halleck

CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSIONS

The archaeological testing conducted in July and September 1990 did
not yield conclusive evidence-in the form of diagnostic artifacts of the
period-for Civil War activity on Spanish Hammock. In spite of this, I believe
sufficient evidence was obtained to support the conclusion that
this area is indeed the location of Battery Halleck. Appreciable earth
movement occurred on the hammock at some time well before the mid-twentieth
century. The resulting features are identical in almost all respects to
those produced by the construction of Civil War period mortar batteries.
The four depressions and associated earthworks found on the hammock from
east to west are thus interpreted as representing the right or east mortar,
the central powder magazine and its associated antechamber, and the left
or west mortar of Battery Halleck (Figure
19 61.4KB). Additional evidence in support of this conclusion is provided
by the presence of appreciable iron concretions in the fill of the three
depressions examined, and by the unequivocal evidence from the presumed
antechamber that at least some of these concretions derive from the weathering
of iron artifacts (i.e., iron plating or other possible material).

Why were no diagnostic Civil War period artifacts found? First, only
a small area was excavated, and almost all of the test units that were
opened were placed in areas that would have been covered by thick wooden
planking, precluding the deposition of many artifacts under them. These
wooden platforms would, upon removal, have themselves left little archaeological
trace. Second, given the brief period over which Battery Halleck was constructed
and used, few Civil War period artifacts would be expected. Third, given
the likelihood that the area has been previously subject to looting by
metal detector owners and to extensive visitation by local residents (i.e.,
hunters and children), it is probable that any obvious surface artifacts
have long since been removed. In retrospect, archaeologists may have more
success in locating Civil War period artifacts from units placed around
the margins of the depressions or in the marsh immediately behind them.

What was missed besides artifacts? Historic accounts clearly indicate
the presence of one type of feature that was not located during the 1990
testing program-the bomb shelter or splinter proof. The importance of these
structures, which are described by T.B Brooks in Appendix
1, was indicated by the forceful testimony of the Union commander:

To the splinter-proof shelters constructed for the seven
advanced batteries [this implies one was present in the vicinity of Battery
Halleck] I attribute our almost entire exemption from loss of life. We
had 1 man killed by a shell from one of the mortar batteries outside the
fort, which was the only casualty. (Gillmore
in OR 1882:165)

While no evidence for splinter proofs was found in 1990, one possible area
where they might be found was indicated by the detailed mapping activity
that occurred. Built-up and disturbed ground continues almost to the eastern
end of the hammock, well past the location of the right mortar battery.
I suggest that archaeological evidence for splinter proofs is likely to
be found in this area.

Where do we go from here? There are two objectives that should be actively
pursued by the NPS:

First, as the only known surviving Union gun emplacement
from the siege and reduction of Fort Pulaski, Battery Halleck has extreme
historical importance. Its preservation and incorporation into
Fort
Pulaski National Monument must be an overriding priority.

Second, if it can be preserved, it should be properly developed as
part of the monument-a project that would include archaeological fieldwork,
restoration, and public interpretation.

To properly restore and interpret the battery, a thorough program of archaeological
investigation over the hammock area should be conducted. This archaeological
work should include the complete excavation of all four of the depressions
and their immediate surroundings; excavations in the marsh behind each
depression (where well-preserved remains are likely to be found in the
waterlogged soils); test trenches through several of the parapets; and
excavations directed to locating and defining the splinter proofs.